.Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporterSep 12, 2024, 02:13 PM ETCloseRyan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN.New Shirt Devils defenseman Luke Hughes will definitely need to have in between six to eight weeks to bounce back coming from a shoulder accident he experienced earlier this month, the crew stated Thursday.Hughes endured a left side shoulder trauma throughout offseason training. After being actually analyzed by the Devils' health care workers, it was established he will certainly not demand surgical operation and that it might take much more than six full weeks for him to recover.That timeline suggests Hughes will skip the Devils' seven preseason games as well as their season-opening activities on Oct. 4 as well as Oct. 5 against the Buffalo Grass Sabres in Prague, Czechia. The earliest he might return would be actually the full week of Oct. 20, which means the Devils would possess actually played 8 regular-season games.Losing Hughes for even a brief period comes after he utilized his novice campaign to enhance why he's looked at some of the game's brightest youthful stars. Hughes completed final season with 6 goals and 47 points while also being one of five Evil ones to play in all 82 games.What Hughes achieved as a newbie resulted in him completing third in Calder Trophy ballot behind the eventual victor, Chicago Blackhawks facility Connor Bedard, as well as Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.Hughes and Faber were the only novice defensemen who played all 82 games final season. They were likewise tied for 2nd amongst novices in points with Bedard leading the organization's first-year gamers along with 61 points.Once Hughes is actually gotten rid of to return, he is actually anticipated to be an essential aspect of the Devils' programs to return to the playoffs. Hughes, that was the 4th selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, invested pair of years establishing at the Educational institution of Michigan, which likewise generated his sibling Quinn Hughes, the Vancouver Canucks captain that is actually likewise the reigning Norris Prize winner for the NHL's best defenseman.Hughes left Michigan after 2 times as well as signed his entry-level agreement along with the Devils. It allowed him to join his bro as well as Adversaries alternate leader, Port, for the team's playoff run throughout the 2023 Stanley Mug playoffs.The Devils succeeded 52 activities during the 2022-23 time as well as advanced to the playoffs for the very first time in 4 seasons. They opened along with a first-round triumph over the rival Nyc Rangers in seven games prior to dropping in the 2nd around against the Carolina Hurricanes.Last period viewed the Devils struggle to find consistency and also miss the playoffs. It resulted in all of them parting ways with crown coach Lindy Ruff as well as employing acting trainer Travis Environment-friendly prior to they after that hired former Toronto Maple Leafs trainer Sheldon Keefe in old May.